Month: January 2016

My Ballard reader Melissa emailed in to report that she spotted a coyote at Golden Gardens on Sunday afternoon.

“I was just walking my dog through the wooded area of Golden Gardens that is behind the off leash dog area and saw a coyote walking on the trail. Be alert!,” says Melissa.

It’s not uncommon for coyotes to be attracted to areas like ours, where there’s plenty of food around and relatively little threat.

According to the Humane Society, it’s important to prevent coyotes from feeling “at home” in the neighborhood. The organization recommends hazing, which can help maintain their healthy fear of humans to avoid them showing up at your next barbecue.

If you happen to see a coyote in your neighborhood, the Humane Society stresses that you should neverrun away; instead, yell and shout at it until it completely leaves the area. They also advise keeping pet food and pets inside at night.

This isn’t the first time they’ve been seen prowling the neighbourhood, the most recent sighting being in May last year on 75th Ave NW .

For helpful resources about coyote behavior and what to do in case of an encounter, read this from the Humane Society about coyote hazing, and this informational page from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

If you have any Ballard coyote experiences or sightings you’d like to share, email us at tips@myballard.com.

To support the safe flow of traffic, SDOT pre-treated roads with salt brine and salt late on Sunday to address potential ice or snow on arterial roadways for the Monday morning commute.

Travelers are encouraged to check weather and roadway conditions prior to beginning their commute this morning. SDOT is also asking residents to consider delaying their trips to avoid potentially icy conditions if at all possible.

Information on winter weather preparedness, including SDOT’s winter weather brochure and snow route map, can be found here.

The City of Seattle is now accepting proposals to the Neighborhood Park and Street Fund (NPSF) to support improvements to neighborhood parks and streets that are initiated by community members.

The NPSF can be used for projects valued up to $90,000 that will improve parks and streets for your local community. A local project example that was funded by NPSF includes the improved crossing at NW 58th and 14th Ave NW (pictured).

The deadline for applications is February 8, 2016, and awarded projects will be completed in 2017. Any individual, neighborhood group, or business group is eligible and encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the fund or to propose a project click here. If you have further questions contact our Neighborhood District Coordinator Thomas Whittemore at (206) 684-4096 or via email Thomas.Whittemore@seattle.gov.

The Old Pequliar Pub (1722 NW Market St) is open from 12 noon – 2 a.m.

What’s Closed:

All US post offices

Most major banks and credit unions

Seattle Transfer stations

Ballard Library

Ballard Neighborhood Service Center

All Seattle Parks and Recreation community centers including Ballard Pool

Things to remember:

On-street parking is free in Seattle on New Year’s Day.

King County Metro Transit bus routes are operating on a Sunday schedule. Click here to check out more details about the holiday schedule.

Garbage, food and yard waste, and recycling will not be picked up in Seattle on New Year’s Day. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday collections will be collected one day later that week due to the New Year’s Day holiday. Please be sure to have your containers out by 7 a.m. to ensure collection.

Do you know of any other events or information for New Year’s Day 2016 in Ballard? Email us at tips@myballard.com and we will add the information to the post.